Build stilt-plus-three floors without paying extra charge

The state government on Tuesday allowed property owners in already developed residential areas to construct stilt-plus-three floors without paying extra charges while categorising 21-metre-high structures as low-rise buildings.

However, property owners will have to pay extra for additional floor area ratio (FAR) and ground coverage according to prevalent collector rates, which saw upward revision recently.

Under the Punjab Unified Building Rules — 2025, the FAR and ground coverage can be increased up to 10 per cent of the total area.

This comes as the government has permitted the construction of stilt-plus-four floors at newly carved sectors and licensed projects.

According to officials, funds generated due to relaxations will be used to boost urban infrastructure as the cash-strapped government hopes to generate substantial revenue this way.

The move, however, drew criticism as experts pointed to the possibility of increase in population density, which they said could add more stress on already burdened urban infrastructure.

‘Will create parking space’

Meanwhile, officials said allowing stilt-plus-three floors in already developed residential areas would create more space for parking.

Housing Secretary Vikas Garg said the rules were user-friendly and would meet challenges posed by urbanisation.

Officials in the Housing Department claimed that new rules would end “harassment of property owners in getting building plans approved” as all structures — residential and commercial — up to 21 metres of height had now been grouped as low-rise buildings.

This meant that the owners would not be required to meet the stringent norms under the National Building Code (NBC) and just require self-certification from them for building plan approval.

‘To increase congestion’

Meanwhile, former chief town planner Gurpreet Singh said the permission for additional coverage area was bound to lead to congestion and increase population density in cities. He called for an “infrastructure capacity audit”.

In another decision to generate revenue through commercial projects, the department has allowed 10 per cent of the equivalent parking space purchasable.

Earlier, a proposal to allow 50 per cent of the equivalent parking space purchasable was withdrawn by the government.